The Department of Labor (DOL) has issued a new opinion letter addressing when walking time during a meal period affects compensability under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). The issue: Whether a 60-minute unpaid lunch, with six to 14 minutes…
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Oregon's companionship services exemption is narrowing for home care agencies under Senate Bill 1518. SB 1518 freezes Oregon's definition of companionship services to the federal definition in effect Jan. 1, 2016, so future federal changes won't automatically expand the state's…
A new Connecticut law is about to add a documentation duty to your payroll to-do list. Effective Oct. 1, 2026, Public Act 26-12 will require employers with 100 or more employees in the Constitution State to create a guide explaining…
Effective Jan. 1, 2027, Washington employers must pay employees for lactation breaks, including qualifying travel time, at their regular compensation rate – adding a new paid-time obligation for payroll to track and finance to budget for. The requirement will apply…
Trader Joe’s has agreed to pay $12.47 million to settle a proposed class action lawsuit alleging violations of California’s wage and hour laws. According to the complaint, Trader Joe’s: Rounded time punches, resulting in employees being underpaid Excluded “Thank You”…
Despite the hype, artificial intelligence (AI) isn’t making much of an impact on payroll yet. A new Zoho Payroll survey of more than 100 US payroll professionals found only 7% of payroll teams said AI was central to their process…
An urgent care facility in Georgia has agreed to pay $113,199 to resolve alleged violations of the federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). According to an investigation by the Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division (WHD), Premier Health Consultants…
Mark your calendar: National Payroll Week returns Sept. 7-11, 2026, to recognize the role payroll professionals play in making sure workers are paid accurately and on time. The annual observance, founded by PayrollOrg in 1996, also highlights payroll’s broader role…
Treasury and the IRS have issued proposed regulations outlining requirements for employer Trump Account contribution programs. Trump Accounts are a new type of individual retirement account for certain individuals under age 18. Since July 4, 2026, employers have been permitted…
New Jersey's Employer Response Portal for unemployment separation reporting is now live, under P.L. 2022, c. 120 (S2357). Employers must report every employee separation to the Division of Unemployment Insurance within seven days of the separation date, or within seven…
Federal and state laws tend to dominate compliance discussions, but local ordinances carry serious financial consequences, too. Case in point: The City of Seattle’s Office of Labor Standards (OLS) recently announced its second-largest enforcement action ever – a nearly $4.4…
Employee misclassification can create liability that follows the business. Case in point: New Jersey has reached a settlement with STG Logistics over allegations that the company and its predecessor misclassified hundreds of truck drivers as independent contractors. New Owner Assumed…
